Don't Knock the Rock (1956)

A disc jockey tries to prove to teenagers' parents that rock 'n' roll is harmless and won't turn their kids into juvenile delinquents.

Director:

Fred F. Sears

Writers:

Robert E. Kent (screenplay), Robert E. Kent (story)

Stars:

Alan Dale, Patricia Hardy, Alan Freed

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alan Dale	...	Arnie Haines
Patricia Hardy	...	Francine MacLaine
Alan Freed	...	Himself
Fay Baker	...	Arlene MacLaine
Jana Lund	...	Sunny Everett
Pierre Watkin	...	Mayor George Bagley
Bill Haley	...	Himself
Franny Beecher	...	Himself (lead guitarist, The Comets) (as The Comets)
Rudy Pompilli	...	Himself (saxophonist, The Comets) (as The Comets)
Al Rex	...	Himself (bass player, The Comets) (as The Comets)
Billy Williamson	...	Himself (steel guitarist, The Comets) (as The Comets)
Johnny Grande	...	Himself (pianist, The Comets) (as The Comets)
Ralph Jones	...	Himself (drummer, The Comets) (as The Comets)
Dave Appell	...	Himself
Applejacks	...	Themselves

Storyline

Rock-and-roller Arnie Haynes returns to his hometown as a hero to the teenagers. However, the mayor and other concerned adults have banned him from performing in his hometown because they consider him and his music a negative influence on the youth. But with the help of disc jockey/publicist Alan Freed and fellow artists (including Bill Haley and the Comets and Little Richard), they hope to convince everyone that rock and roll is not as dangerous as the adults think.

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Plot Keywords:

rock music | reference to kim novak | sequel

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Taglines:

Rock'N'Roll Will Save The Day!

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Genres:

Music

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 December 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hi Fi

Filming Locations:

Railroad Station, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Clover Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

As with Rock Around the Clock, all songs are performed lip-synched to previously released records. It's worth noting, however, that Bill Haley and the Comets' instrumental "Goofin' Around" seen performed here is a different take than the version the band released on record.

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Goofs

The dialog indicates that Arnie Haines' home town is somewhere in New England when he discusses going home for vacation, but the train that he gets off has the logo of the Sunset Limited on three cars. The Sunset Limited was a luxury train of the Southern Pacific Railroad that ran along the California Coast.

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Quotes

[Bill Haley walks up to a table with Arnie Haines and Alan Freed]
Bill Haley: How we doin', Dad, the newspaper gal diggin' us?
Arnie Haines: Yeah, real deep. She sounds like she has us plowed way under already.
Alan Freed: That's freedom of the press.
Bill Haley: Yeah, and I always thought that freedom of the press was a tailor who irons your suits for nothing. It shows you.
[everyone laughs a forced and phony laugh, and then they all get up and leave; Bill Haley looks offended]

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Connections

Featured in Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The Early Years (1955-1970) (2000)

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Soundtracks

"Minuet in G"
(uncredited)
Music by Ludwig van Beethoven
Arranged by Fred Karger

User Reviews

Good Rock and Roll movie

I always liked this film. Not a bad plot, the acting is better than average and there is, of course, some great music. Bill Haley and Little Richard provide some real excitement, plus here's a chance to see the great Treniers and talented pop singer Alan Dale in rare screen appearances. The legendary Alan Freed plays a sometimes over zealous manager and is terrific in the role. Rock and Roll fans should not pass this one by!